Your teeth are built to last you a lifetime. There is a common misconception that all elderly people will inevitably need to switch to dentures. It is important to know that losing your teeth is not an inevitable part of getting older. As you or someone you love gets older, there are ways to continue to care for your smile. Maintenance and prevention throughout your life can help ensure that your teeth stay healthy and strong for your smile.
Mindful Nutrition
Fruits and vegetables are vital for providing your teeth with the vitamins and minerals that they need. Sugar can lead to acidic attacks on your teeth’s enamel. Calcium is an important vitamin for both your teeth and your vitamins. Drinking plenty of water is a good way to keep yourself hydrated and your mouth with a healthy amount of moisture. As we get older, our mouth can naturally get more dry. Certain medications can lead to a dry mouth. A dry mouth can be a breeding ground for harmful bacteria.
Regular Dental Care
As you get older, you may have already made the switch to dentures. You may have partial dentures or just a few replacement prosthetic teeth in your smile. Whether or not your smile is full of natural teeth, it is still important to maintain regular visits to your dentist. Regular visits for checkups and cleanings are like maintaining regularly scheduled maintenance on your car. It gives your dentist a chance to identify any problem areas early enough to deal with them. As we get older, it may become more important to maintain these regular visits because a problem with your smile’s health can create problems in your overall health.
Early Treatment
If your dentist does notice a problem during one of your recommended twice-a-year visits, it is important to treat the problem early. Waiting to deal with most dental issues will not result in the problem just fixing itself. Most dental problems will continue to worsen until they are dealt with.
Do you need help caring for your smile?
Dr. Carmona would be happy to help you care for your smile. To schedule a consultation at Austin Prosthodontics, call 512-250-9444. We also proudly welcome patients from Cedar Park, Round Rock, Pflugerville, Leander, and all surrounding Texas communities.
